The Vatican Information Service is a news service, founded in the Holy See Press Office, that provides information about the Magisterium and the pastoral activities of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia...[+]

Last 5 news

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Vatican
City, 30 April 2013
(VIS) – This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy
Father received Shimon Peres, president of the State of Israel.
President Peres then met with the Secretary of State, Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., accompanied by Archbishop Dominique
Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

During
the cordial talks, the political and social situation in the Middle
East—where more than a few conflicts persist—was addressed. A
speedy resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians
is hoped for, so that, with the courageous decisions and availability
of both sides as well as support from the international community, an
agreement may be reached that respects the legitimate aspirations of
the two Peoples, thus decisively contributing to the peace and
stability of the region. Reference to the important issue of the City
of Jerusalem was not overlooked. Particular worry for the conflict
that plagues Syria was expressed, for which a political solution is
hoped for that privileges the logic of reconciliation and dialogue.

A
number of issues concerning relations between the State of Israel and
the Holy See and between state authorities and the local Catholic
communities were also addressed. In conclusion, the significant
progress made by the Bilateral Working Commission, which is preparing
an agreement regarding issues of common interest, was appreciated and
its rapid conclusion is foreseen.

Vatican
City, 30 April 2013
(VIS) – This morning, in the Library of the Vatican Apostolic
Palace, Pope Francis was presented with the stamps issued jointly
between the Vatican City State and Argentina, which are dedicated to
the beginning of his pontificate.

The
four stamps in the set, which reproduce photographic images of the
new pontiff, have the values of: €0.70 (for mail to Italy); €0.85
(Europe); €2.00 (Africa, Asia, the Americas); and €2.50
(Oceania). There will be 250,000 complete series printed.

The
Philatelic and Numismatic Office will issue, along with the stamp
series, a stamp and coin card and an official collector's edition
folder with the four stamps and a postcard of the first page of the
extraordinary edition of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano,
from 13 March 2013 (the day of the new pontiff's election).

-
appointed Bishop Audilio Aguilar Aguilar as bishop of Santiago de
Veraguas (area 11,239, population 233,600, Catholics 211,343, priests
38, permanent deacons 2, religious 43), Panama. Bishop Aguilar,
previously of Colon-Kuna Yala, Panama, has been vice-president of the
Panamanian Bishops' Conference since 2010. He succeeds Bishop Oscar
Mario Brown Jimenez, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the
same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age
limit.

-
appointed Bishop Salvatore Visco as archbishop of Capua (area 500,
population 198,700, Catholics 190,700, priests 83, permanent deacons
10, religious 297), Italy. The archbishop-elect, previously of
Isernia-Venafro, Italy, was born in Naples, Italy in 1948, was
ordained to the priesthood in 1973, and received episcopal ordination
in 2007. He is currently vice-president of the Abruzzo-Molise region
of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

-
appointed Archbishop Guido Pozzo, almoner of His Holiness and titular
archbishop of Balneoregium, as consultor of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith.

-
appointed Fr. Jose Granados, D.C.J.M., vice dean of the John Paul II
Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome, Italy, as
consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.